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Rovaniemi’s newest public library has introduced a no-shoes policy, making it one of a small but growing number of “shoeless libraries” appearing in Finland. Located inside the Vaaramo multipurpose centre in Korkalovaara, the library requires visitors to either remove their shoes or wear protective plastic covers.
The decision follows a model seen in other cities where libraries share buildings with schools and daycare centres. The goal is to keep the shared spaces cleaner, especially for children.
Library assistant Sylvia Jänis Veini said the response from visitors has been mostly positive.
“It’s been received in a pretty relaxed, summer-like spirit,” she said.
Some visitors have asked why the policy is in place. According to staff, the explanation lies in the building’s shared use. Vaaramo houses both a school and a daycare, and the no-shoes rule helps maintain cleanliness for young users.
Earlier experiences from similar facilities suggest that the concept can require adjustment. Joensuu was the first Finnish city to adopt shoeless libraries in 2018. Since then, other branches — including the Ylämylly Library, opened in late 2021 — have followed suit.
In Joensuu, there was some initial confusion and criticism, according to Tanja Nyman, head of services at Joensuu City Library.
“Customers didn’t quite understand at first that they had to take off their shoes or use covers,” Nyman said. She added that while usage of shoe covers still varies, the carpeting has remained “surprisingly clean.”
Juha Manninen, executive director of the Finnish Library Association, said shoeless libraries are mainly found in new multipurpose buildings. Although no formal statistics are kept, he confirmed the trend is becoming more visible.
Manninen supports the cleanliness aim, particularly in libraries that operate as self-service branches for part of the day. But he also cautioned that the policy should not deter users.
“It’s important that removing shoes or putting on covers doesn’t discourage elderly visitors,” he said.
At Korkalovaara, visitors seem more focused on having a functioning local library than on the footwear policy itself. The library replaces services lost during the long-term renovation of Rovaniemi’s main library.
Lauri Sakaranaho, a local resident, welcomed the new space.
“There’s been a bit of a gap and some difficulty, especially since I read a lot and the main library has been out of use,” he said.
While some visitors noted the small size of the new collection, others expressed appreciation that the library is finally open. The Korkalovaara branch operates partly on a self-service model, meaning visitors can access it without staff present — another reason cited for the no-shoes rule.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
